Abstract

As compact ultrafast laser systems, that are affordable and reliable, continue to be developed, interest in their application to practical problems in materials science also continues to expand. Solid state, diode pumped, and fiber based ultrafast laser systems are sufficiently commonplace to encourage an intensification of such applications research. Controlled output levels for 100 femtosecond lasers, operating at 10 Hz to 1 kHz, in the hundred micro-joule to several millijoule energy range are currently available in reliable commercial systems. This opens the opportunity for direct application of these devices to thin film synthesis, growth processing, and micro-fabrication.

© 1998 IEEE